Today, we find televisions shows to be more often than not one-dimensional, and with good cause: the majority of people love one-dimensional television shows that often do not raise cerebral themes nor query the mind to life's deeper questions. The proof behind this theory lies within the usual top 10 shows here at TV.com, but I digress from this point. The main point is that Star Trek: The Next Generation is a show that is for the intelligent viewer, and shows like this do not exist in prominence anymore Themes such as humanity's purpose, galactic politics (which of course draw upon and translate to the politics of the world today), and the discovery of the unknown permeate throughout this series from episode one to episode 176.The Next Generation follows the 24th century crew on board the Starship Enterprise D captained by Jean-luc Picard. Joining him on his discovery of the galaxy are Will Riker, Data, Worf, Geordi LaForge, Deanna Troi, Beverly Crusher, and Wesley Crusher. Each character has a unique and integral background within the show, and they help us relate to the show with various allusions to people we know and understand. Picard draws upon the persona of a French philosophe of the Enlightenment (Picard is French after all). He has a strict set of high morals which do not falter throughout the series (let's not talk about the movies) and always relies on them to make the correct, well thought-out judgments. Picard is a natural-born leader as well for he radiates self-confidence and intellect. Picard is joined by his first Commander Will Riker. Riker evolves in the series from a young and eager star fleet officer to a smart, wise, and mature "Number 1" as Picard refers to him as. We find Riker to be very cunning in his tactics not only as a commander, but also with the ladies. Many of us headstrong males can relate well to Riker in these regards. Lieutenant-Commander Data is perhaps the most interesting character in that he is an Android possessing amazing powers who would trade them all for the flaws of humanity. The security chief Lieutenant-Commander Worf is the first Klingon serving in Star Fleet, and there are times we find him having to fight his natural tendencies as a Klingon when he needs to conform to Star Fleet standards, but having been raised by humans, Worf is able to keep himself in check. Geordi LaForge runs engineering as a blind man yet with a sight-enhancing visor which allows him in some respects to see more than even the average person can. He is an every-man who always gets the job done and exceeds expectations. Deanna Troi is a half Betazoid who utilizes her gifts as the ships counselor. She understands the emotions of people so well, and sometimes I imagine myself wanting to talk to her about my meager problems. Doctor Beverly Crusher is an inquisitive and moral doctor (quite similar to Picard in some respects), and is open to new ideas in the world of medicine and even beyond in the scientific community. She is joined by her son, Wesley Crusher who is a genius comparable to Mozart-as stated in the show. His gifts serve the crew of the Enterprise in various creative ways.Throughout the show, this unique crew chemically reacts with each other to form a new substance: that of efficiency, discovery, and righteousness. We leave this show knowing and loving this crew individually and as a whole. The genius of the show and many other shows is creating this bond with the audience and characters. Beyond that, Star Trek makes us think inwardly after we watch the show, something few shows do. The themes are very deep, even spiritual. I encourage each and every person to watch and think big about what you see. I leave you with this quote, "The human race is a remarkable creature, one with great potential, and I hope Star Trek has helped to show us what we can be if we believe in ourselves and our abilities." Gene Roddenberry, author and creator of Star Trek.

Though many Star Trek fans were doubtful that a new generation would brilliantly get the torch from the Original Series in such a classy way, needless to say this is a worthy Poker Bet (game played so often in several episodes !).Seven years of great adventures, lead by the courageous Captain Jean-Luc Picard (excellent Sir Patrick Stewart) and staff like Commander Riker, Deanna Troi, Dr. Beverly Crusher (except season 2), Geordi LaForge, Worf and the unforgettable Data. Not forgetting also Dr Pulaski (Diana Muldaur, season 2) and Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton, not so annoying after all, even after a "Shut Up Wesley" tease...).And enemies like the Ferengi, the Romulans (always so serious...), some Klingons (the House of Duras, which disgraced Worf's House of Mogh), and of course the Borg and the Cardassians at the end...But the most typical villain of all: "Q". The mischievous character portrayed by the excellent John de Lancie, gives the Enterprise crew a run for its money, from the pilot episode at least. So good to hear him call Picard "Mon Capitaine" in a cynical way ! Oh, and let's not forget Lwaxana Troi, portrayed by the late Gene Roddenberry's wife, the late Majel Barrett, whose antics not only embarrassed his daughter Deanna, but Captain Picard as well. We'll know later why she acts this way...Some of the old crew were in, most notable episode is the two parter "Unification" where the late Mark Lenard and the unforgettable Leonard Nimoy reprise their respective roles of Sarek and Spock (and what a great episode... Even Data knows how to do a good Vulcan nerve pinch). Two late actors, DeForest Kelley in the pilot as Admiral Dr.McCoy and James Doohan as Scotty in a great episode called "Relics".However, my favourite character was Data, portrayed by Brent Spiner, who did portray its creator, Dr. Soong, as well as his evil twin brother Lore. As Data is an android, we see him experience so many things, including love, but his emotions are absent here, however his discoveries about human nature, makes him one of us, despite the fact that he is a living computer, which at many times, saved the crew (but also threatened it... and was forgiven later...).So many adventures were shared by the crew, and of course the famous holodeck that can be transformed to any setting programmed.A series not to be missed... Like says the Captain: ENGAGE !

"Space... The final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. It's continuing mission, to explore strange new worlds. To seek out new life and new civilizations. To boldly go where no one has gone before"Once you heard those words you know it was time to tune into one of the greatest TV shows ever created not only is it continuing what the original series Star Trek started but it has help created a new generation of fans and shows how it can stand on it own against all others.Star Trek: The Next Generation is the Star Trek series I grew up with as a kid and how I became a fan of Star Trek, I still have my toys from the series as well along with the Enterprise D star ship which is my favorite Star Trek ship.This series feature a new cast of characters who served on board the U.S.S. Enterprise D the successor of the original Enterprise under the command of Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart).Commander William Riker (Johnathan Frakes),Lt.Commander Geordi La Forge (LeVar Burton), Lt.Worf (Michael Dorn), Counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis) Lt.Commander Date (Brent Spiner) Dr.Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden) Each of them bring something special to the characters and make them legends in their own right and are fan favorites among the fans my personal favorites Captain Picard, Beverly Crusher and Data.The series feature well done brilliant acting from the cast, well written stories and excellent special effects.The series also gave us some of the best episodes not only for Star Trek but for Television as well some of my personal favorite episodes are "Yesterday's Enterprise" "Best of both Worlds" "Cause and Effect" Time's Arrow" "A Fistful of Datas" "Genesis" "Relics" "The Game" "Who watches the Watchers" "The Big Goodbye" and so many others the redefine television. Star Trek: The Next Generation to this day is as strong successful series that just gets better with age, well crafted acting, well written stories and special effects that you don't get to see too often on TV. Do yourself a favor and watch Star Trek The Next Generation Make it so

I was watching this again on Netflix and God I forgot how much I loved it. I remembered in theory. This show was when I became a fan of Patrick Stewart but my God how well the show stands up in my heart.My favorite episodes are still my favorite episodes. I remember loving Who Watches The Watchers and I still think the episode is fantastic for an early episode. The two part Best of Both Worlds is still chilling. Characters I didn't particularly care for don't bother me as much now like Wesley Crusher and Wil Riker mainly because their actors grew on me over the years. Wil Wheaton is the best and got a bum rap as a kid but so is life. TNG was always my favorite of the Treks because Patrick Stewart was my secret husband. My god did I have a crush on that man. The show is hardly perfect and if you want to be technical DS9 is better written with better characters who act in a more logical manner, but what I love about it still stands today like it did when it aired and what I disliked seems to have evaporated with time.